DEVELOPING THEIR CONFIDENCE BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL YMCA LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM CLASS DESCRIPTIONS Bloomington-Normal YMCA 602 S. Main St Bloomington, IL 309.827.6233 p www.bnymca.org
PARENT/CHILD SWIM LESSONS (AGES 6 MONTHS- 3 YEARS): Group lessons designed to orient parents and children ages 6 months-3 years to the aquatic environment with songs and games. Description: These lessons focus on helping children become comfortable in and around the water, while parents learn how to teach their child basic aquatic movements. Songs and developmentally appropriate games that use basic movements in the water such as kicking, arm strokes and blowing bubbles, encourage socialization with other families with children of the same age. *In order to participate all children are required to wear a swim diaper under their swimsuit (no disposable diapers allowed), and a parent or adult must accompany children in the pool at all times during the lesson. PRESCHOOL SWIM LESSONS (AGES 3-5): Progressive child-focused group lessons that teach the fundamental skills of swimming. Water Exploration: Designed for water exploration and includes an introduction to water safety and the basic skills necessary for swimming. Preschool Level 1: Teaches floating and proper body position in the water. Preschool Level 2: Focuses on developing a strong kick on the stomach and back. Preschool Level 3: Teaches the fundamentals of the front-crawl stroke/freestyle and provides an introduction to backstroke. Preschool Level 4: Focuses on improving front-crawl stroke/freestyle and backstroke techniques. Water Exploration: Water Introduction appropriate for beginners or somewhat nervous students age 3-5 who are not yet comfortable in the water for the Preschool Level 1 class. Description: This level is for children who have never taken learn to swim classes and need to learn beginning skills such as breath-holding, bubbles, kicking and comfortable submersions before joining our tradition swim lesson levels. They will start in this class and then be moved to Preschool Level 1 when they are comfortable enough in the water to complete 10 bobs, which are water submersions where the child fully submerges underwater while exhaling through their nose. Preschool Level 1: Preschool Level 1 is appropriate for swimmers ages 3-5 who are able to hold their breath under water and complete 10 bobs comfortably. Description: In this level, the children are taught floating on both their stomachs and backs. Instructors will be helping them get comfortable doing these two skills. To move to level 2 the child must be able to complete a front and back float by pushing off the wall and floating for 10 feet without assistance. Preschool Level 2: Preschool Level 2 is appropriate for swimmers ages 3-5 who are able to comfortably hold their breath underwater and float on their stomach and back without support for 10 feet. Description: In this level, floating skills on both the front and back are built upon by adding kicking with their legs. Students will also be introduced to sculling, a technique used to feel and manipulate the water with your hands. To move to level 3, children must be able to push off the wall on both their stomach and back and while floating, kick for at least 20 feet from the wall and then recover on their own.
Preschool Level 3: Preschool Level 3 class is appropriate for swimmers ages 3-5 who have mastered breath control, body position, can kick 20 feet on their front and back on top of the water, and then recover on their own. Description: This level teaches the proper way the arms work with the kick in the frontcrawl stroke/freestyle. Students also learn sculling on their back while kicking. To move to the next level, children must complete the front-crawl stroke/freestyle for at least 35 feet and scull on their backs for 15 feet. Preschool Level 4: Preschool Level 4 is for appropriate for swimmers ages 3-5 who are able to complete front-crawl stroke/freestyle for 35 feet on top of the water and are able to scull on their backs for 15 feet. Description: This level introduces bilateral, rotary breathing with the front-crawl stroke/freestyle. Various drills are utilized to help children develop this skill. Students will also learn proper arm pulling techniques for backstroke. To advance, children must be able to swim freestyle for 75 feet with bilateral, rotary breathing, and be able to demonstrate swimming backstroke for 35 feet. YOUTH SWIM LESSONS (AGES 6-12): Progressive youth group lessons that teach the fundamental skills of swimming. Youth Level 1: Teaches floating and proper body position in the water. Youth Level 2: Focuses on developing a strong kick on the stomach and back. Youth Level 3: Teaches the fundamentals of the front-crawl stroke/freestyle and provides an introduction to backstroke. Youth Level 4: Focuses on improving the front-crawl stroke/freestyle and backstroke techniques. Youth Level 1: Appropriate for non-swimmers and beginners ages 6-12. Description: Youth Level 1 introduces children to water safety and the basic skills necessary for swimming. In this level, the children are taught floating on both their stomachs and backs. Instructors will be helping them get comfortable doing these two skills. To move to level 2 the child must be able to complete a front and back float by pushing off the wall and floating for 10 feet without assistance. Youth Level 2: Youth Level 2 is appropriate for swimmers ages 6-12 who are able to comfortably hold their breath underwater and float on their stomach and back without support for 10 feet. Description: In this level, floating skills on both the front and back are built upon by adding kicking with their legs. Students will also be introduced to sculling, a technique used to feel and manipulate the water with your hands. To move to level 3, children must be able to push off the wall on both their stomach and back and while floating, kick for at least 20 feet from the wall and then recover on their own. Youth Level 3: Youth Level 3 class is appropriate for swimmers ages 6-12 who have mastered breath control, body position, and can kick 20 feet on their front and back on top of the water and then recover on their own. Description: This level teaches the proper way the arms work with the kick in the frontcrawl stroke/freestyle. Students also learn sculling on their back while kicking. To move to the next level, children must complete the front-crawl stroke/freestyle for at least 35 feet and scull on their backs for 15 feet.
Youth Level 4: Youth Level 4 is for appropriate for swimmers ages 6-12 who are able to swim freestyle stroke for 35 feet on top of the water, but who stop when they need to take a breath, scull on their backs for 15 feet. Description: This level introduces bilateral, rotary breathing with the front-crawl stroke/freestyle. Various drills are utilized to help children develop this skill. Students will also learn proper arm pulling techniques for backstroke. To advance, children must be able to swim freestyle for 75 feet with bilateral, rotary breathing, and be able to demonstrate swimming backstroke for 35 feet. STROKE/TECHNIQUE SWIM LESSONS (AGES 5+): Advanced stroke lessons designed to transition participants to competitive swimming or joining the WAVES swim team. Stroke/Technique Level 1: Introduces the fundamentals of breaststroke. Stroke/Technique Level 2: Introduces the fundamentals of butterfly. Stroke/Technique Level 3: Improves efficiency and techniques of all four competitive swim strokes. Stroke/Technique Level 1: Appropriate for swimmers ages 5+ who are able to swim freestyle for 75 feet with a comfortable breathing pattern, and can demonstrate swimming backstroke for 35 feet. Description: This level will work on refining freestyle and backstroke to improve efficiency. Swimmers will be taught the fundamentals of breaststroke. In order to move to level 3, swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards freestyle, 25 yards backstroke, and complete 30 feet of breaststroke. Stroke/Technique Level 2: Appropriate for swimmers ages 5+ who are able to swim 25 yards of freestyle with good breathing pattern, 25 yards backstroke with proper stroke mechanics, and complete 30 feet of proper breaststroke swim. Description: This level continues the progression of freestyle, backstroke and butterfly to develop endurance in these strokes and will be taught the fundamentals of breaststroke. In order to move to level 3, swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards freestyle, 25 yards backstroke, 25 yards breaststroke, and 30 feet of butterfly. Stroke/Technique Level 3: Appropriate for swimmers ages 5+ who are able to swim 50 yards freestyle, 25 yards backstroke, 25 yards breaststroke, and 30 feet of butterfly. Description: This level improves efficiency and techniques of all four strokes and introduces the final components of competitive swimming, including starts and turns. In order to advance, swimmers must be able to swim a 100-yard individual medley, which includes 25 yards of each stroke and legal transition turns between them. ADULT SWIM LESSONS (AGES 13+): Group lessons designed to help minimize fear of the water by teaching fundamental swimming skills. Description: Appropriate for non-swimmers and beginners ages 13+. These lessons will teach floating, body position, kicking, and the fundamentals of the front and back crawl strokes.
Adult Group Offerings: Tuesday 7:05-7:35 PM (8 max) Tuesday 7:35-8:05 PM (8 max) Thursday 7:05-7:35 PM (8 max) Thursday 7:35-8:05 PM (8 max) Registration includes four, 30-minute group lessons that occur once per week at a selected day/time with a certified instructor who specializes in teaching adults how to swim. Fee: Y-Members $30 / Prospective Members $54 S.N.A.P (SPECIAL NEEDS AQUATIC PROGRAM): S.N.A.P. is a specialized and personalized swim lesson program for individuals with Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism and other special needs. Participation must be approved by the Learn to Swim Coordinator. The program consists of six, 30-minute private swim lessons with a certified instructor who has experience and training working with special needs individuals. Please submit a S.N.A.P. LESSON INTAKE FORM to the front desk and contact the Learn to Swim Coordinator with any questions. Registration includes four, 30-minute private swim lessons with a certified instructor who has experience and training working with special needs individuals. Fee: Y Members $100 / Prospective Member $140 PRIVATE & SEMI-PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS: Are you interested in having one on one instruction or have a friend you would like to learn to swim with? Do you need more flexibility in when your lessons are offered? If so, private lessons may be just for you. To sign up, obtain a private/semi-private lesson request form at the Member Services Desk. Once completed, we will match you with a qualified instructor. Lessons are by appointment and taught during available Private Lesson times. Registration includes four, 30-minute private, or semi-private swim lessons with a certified instructor who is specialized in teaching individuals of all ages how to swim. Fee: Y Members $100 / Prospective Member: $140 WAVES SWIM TEAM The WAVES team offers children the chance to strengthen their swimming skills and gain exposure to a competitive environment that encourages and rewards their efforts. WAVES team members get attention from high-level, experienced coaches who help them build a strong foundation of proper skills, good habits and a love for the sport. Make-up Policy: Learn To Swim participants will no longer receive account credits for cancelled lessons. Instead, we will now be offering a make-up week following the conclusion of each session to allow students to make up lessons that were cancelled due to extenuating circumstances out of the YMCA s control, at no additional cost. One make-up lesson per session will be allotted on the same day/time scheduled at registration for cancelled classes; participants will not be able to make up missed lessons
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I register? 1. Review our list of available lessons and read the lesson descriptions carefully. A class schedule can be downloaded from our website. 2. Choose the lesson that best fits you or your child s needs and ability level. If unsure, contact Learn to Swim Coordinator; Lydia Ridgeway at lydiar@bnymca.org 3. Select a day and time the lesson is offered that works best for you. Registration for Parent/Child, Preschool, Youth, and Adult swim lessons includes four lessons that occur once per week for thirty minutes at a selected day/time. Registration for Stroke/Technique lessons includes 8 lessons that occur twice per week for thirty minutes at a selected day/time. For each lesson, the date/time you select at registration will be your assigned lesson slot each week for the entirety of the 4-week session. 4. Complete registration for that offering by submitting payment. Registration can occur online, by phone, or in person at the Y located at 602 S. Main St, Bloomington IL, 61701. How do I know what level my child should participate? Contact Lydia Ridgeway, Learn to Swim Coordinator, for swim ability evaluation. These evaluations are very quick and easy! lydiar@bnyma.org What if I miss a lesson? Learn To Swim participants will no longer receive account credits for cancelled lessons. Instead, we will now be offering a make-up week following the conclusion of each session to allow students to make up lessons that were cancelled due to extenuating circumstances out of the YMCA s control, at no additional cost. One make-up lesson per session will be allotted on the same day/time scheduled at registration for cancelled classes; participants will not be able to make up missed lessons. The make-up week for the Winter 1 session will be held from February 1, 2015- February 7, 2014 Why should I choose the Bloomington/Normal YMCA Learn to Swim Program? Lots of organizations and individuals teach swimming lessons; we teach people how to swim with additional developmental outcomes of building self-confidence, and focusing on those I can do it moments. We have a mission, and that is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. All of our instructors are certified in the teaching of swimming and experts in the proper development of stroke technique. We teach your child to swim like a pro with expert technique from the very first day in the water. They'll start with learning how to exhale underwater... and progress through every skill that an Olympic Swimmer will learn when they learned to swim. How frequently should my child take swim lessons? We recommend swim lessons once a week for the following reasons: Once a week swim lessons are easy on the family budget and schedule. Easy on the child Easy way to ensure your child learns to swim Should my child take group or private lessons? We favor group swim lessons for children who are ready to learn in a small group setting. Small groups of six children or less provide instruction, practice, and the opportunity to watch other children perform the skill being learned. However not all children learn best in group lessons. Parents must take into account their child's temperament and learning style. What if a class is full? If your desired class is full, we encourage you to find a different class that fits your schedule. If one is unavailable, please consider taking private or semi- private lessons. Information for these lessons can be found on the Learn to Swim webpage.
What if there are not enough participants registered for a class? Unfortunately, sometimes not enough participants register for a particular class, when this occurs we will either cancel the class, combine it with another level, or charge the premium amount. We do strictly follow class minimums, so be sure to sign up early. If we make changes to a class we will inform everyone registered of the changes at least 24 hours prior to the first class. Where can i watch my child's swim lesson? To allow our instructors to build trust with your child, we encourage all parents to observe swim lessons from the chairs located on the pool deck, but we do ask that you not interfere with the lessons in progress. What is the swim lesson makeup policy? Learn to Swim participants will no longer receive account credits for cancelled lessons. Instead, we will now be offering a make-up week following the conclusion of each session to allow students to make up lessons that were cancelled due to extenuating circumstances out of the YMCA s control. One make-up lesson per session will be allotted on the same day/time scheduled at registration for cancelled classes; participants will not be able to make up missed lessons. If I have questions, who can I contact? Bloomington-Normal YMCA 309.827.6233 Learn to Swim Coordinator; Lydia Ridgeway, lydiar@bnymca.org